The myth of the headphone dent can be easily debunked, but the online uproar surrounding it brings attention to a larger problem. With the rise of various social networks and different levels of content moderation, spreading misinformation online has become easier than ever before.

A recent study from the University of Southern California found that network algorithms are more responsible for promoting inaccurate news or facts on social media platforms than actual users. While the exact reasons for this phenomenon are still uncertain, the study discovered that platforms often encourage users to develop habits of sharing information in order to gain more attention to their profiles. On the other hand, the moderation and fact-checking systems are not as appealing, resulting in a greater incentivization of misinformation.

Although this issue appears to be prevalent across social media in general, some researchers are particularly concerned about TikTok’s role in spreading misinformation. An investigation by NewsGuard revealed that over 20 percent of news-related TikTok videos, ranging from five seconds to ten minutes in length, contain some level of misinformation. Another study from the University of Illinois outlines the tactics used to spread false information, such as misspelled hashtags. It also suggests that the fast-paced video format of TikTok allows users to consume more content within a short period of time, potentially leading to an algorithm filled with misinformation. While the panic surrounding the permanent headphone dent is relatively minor as a case of misinformation, it raises broader questions about the current state of information distribution online.